Murr Christian, Schroecksnadel Katharina, Winkler Christiana, Ledochowski Maximilian, Fuchs Dietmar
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Innsbruck Medical University, Fritz Pregl Strasse 3, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(5):973-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2004.11.011.
In addition to genetic predisposition, a lack of triggers for Th1 immune response like exposure to infections, endotoxins and dirt in childhood are supposed to be responsible for the higher incidence of allergic rhinitis and asthma (hygiene hypothesis). In vitro, beverages rich in antioxidants like green tea and wine were found to suppress formation of Th1-type cytokine interferon-gamma. Due to the existing cross-regulatory interplay between Th1- and Th2-type immune response, these beverages may thus slow-down Th1-type immune response and thereby favour an over-production of Th2-type cytokines. Also food rich in antioxidants may increase the risk of atopic disease. Thus, not only a lack of triggers for Th1 type immune response, but also a nutrition rich in antioxidants suppressing interferon-gamma would result in a persistence of Th2-type immune response and increase the susceptibility for allergic reactions and asthma. In addition to improved hygienic standards in the past decades, also social changes including the availability of functional food and food enriched in antioxidants may have increased the prevalence of atopic diseases in Western countries.
除了遗传易感性外，儿童期缺乏如接触感染、内毒素和污垢等Th1免疫反应触发因素被认为是过敏性鼻炎和哮喘发病率较高的原因（卫生假说）。在体外实验中，发现富含抗氧化剂的饮料如绿茶和葡萄酒会抑制Th1型细胞因子干扰素-γ的形成。由于Th1型和Th2型免疫反应之间存在交叉调节相互作用，这些饮料可能会减缓Th1型免疫反应，从而有利于Th2型细胞因子的过度产生。富含抗氧化剂的食物也可能增加特应性疾病的风险。因此，不仅缺乏Th1型免疫反应触发因素，而且富含抗氧化剂的营养物质抑制干扰素-γ，都会导致Th2型免疫反应持续存在，并增加过敏反应和哮喘的易感性。除了过去几十年卫生标准的提高外，包括功能性食品和富含抗氧化剂食品的可获得性在内的社会变化，也可能增加了西方国家特应性疾病的患病率。
